The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO) 2006 places legal duties on the Responsible Person to ensure the safety of people in the building they are in control of, in the event of a fire. This includes checking that the fire safety provisions are adequate and retain the ability to resist the passage and spread of fire throughout their working life.
Fire resistance capabilities can be seriously compromised if it has not been installed and maintained by someone who has appropriate knowledge of this complex life safety product for example, a fire door’s fire resistance performance can be weakened if components such as hardware, glazing and intumescent strips are installed incorrectly or not to specification.
It is therefore essential to make sure your fire safety provisions are checked by an expert. An efficient way of doing this is with a site survey.
What does a fire safety surveyor do?
During the build phase of a construction project, there is no legal requirement for a Fire Surveyor or Fire Engineer to carry out site inspections however, it is strongly recommended that a third party be appointed to inspect internal and external fire-stopping/cavity barrier installations, to allow for an unbiased review of the construction details and assess whether they meet the manufacturers tested installation details and current building regulations.
Site surveys are used to assess that fire safety measures in a building are adequate and comply with the requirements of the RRO 2006 and any other appropriate Health and Safety legislation. Appointing one of our Fire Engineers or Surveyors will ensure this is done competently.
Fire safety feasibility reviews
A fire safety feasibility review (also known as a feasibility study) is a comprehensive evaluation of a project’s fire protection requirements and can be used to determine the viability of the design options and ensure the project is technically feasible – as well as economically justifiable.
Key benefits of a feasibility review include; Improving the project team’s focus on fire safety during the feasibility stage, identifying fire engineering opportunities or project constraints, providing valuable fire safety information to support a yes or no decision and enhancing the success rate by evaluating design parameters.
What does due diligence cover?
Due diligence fire safety surveys of existing buildings are used to confirm compliance with Parts B & M of the Building Regulations.
Marshall Fire’s review services will include a detailed assessment of the existing compartmentation and fire doors, fire detection and alarm systems, emergency lighting systems, means of escape and circulation within and from the building, location, and provision of portable fire extinguishing equipment.
A due diligence fire safety survey is an in-depth assessment of the existing fire safety products within your building.
Our senior surveyors will look in as much detail as necessary to ensure that your building is compliant to the fire safety sections of the building regulations.
They will then produce a survey, highlighting any areas for improvements, for your records.
What is a compartmentation survey?
A compartmentation survey (also known as a fire stopping survey) will determine areas where fire resisting walls have been breached so the correct remedial works can be performed to restrict the spread of fire and smoke through your building. Any penetrations in the fire resisting barriers throughout should be fire-stopped using the approved products in the correct applications. It is also vital to ensure the fire resisting element is maintained above fire doors.
We can identify the problem areas, and perform a detailed inspection above suspended ceilings, loft spaces and between floors to ensure fire cannot extend through the building by means of travelling through the voids.
Our surveyors are knowledgeable of the following:
- Fire stopping techniques, products, and materials
- Fire doors and the need to fire stop around door frames
- Compartmentation required between floors and around risk areas
- BS 476 and associated standards for fire resistance testing
Our clients receive a professionally produced survey report that is easy to understand with a list of recommendations and should any question arise our expert team are always happy to assist.
What is in a fire risk assessment?
The RRO 2005 states that the responsible person must make a ‘suitable and sufficient’ assessment of the risks to which relevant persons are exposed for the purpose of identifying the measures they need to take to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed on them by the Order.
The nature of the assessment will vary according to the type and use of the premises, the persons who use or may use the premises, and the risks associated with that use. A risk assessment should be reviewed regularly by the responsible person to keep it up to date, and valid and to reflect any significant changes that may have taken place.
The law requires a FRA for all structures, whether they are commercial or residential if they house five or more people
How do I choose a fire risk assessor?
It is the responsibility of the responsible person to ensure that the fire risk assessment that is carried out on their property is ‘suitable and sufficient’ in accordance with the RRO.
There are varying complexities to buildings, and this should be reflected when selecting a competent assessor to complete an FRA. Marshall Fire’s senior surveyors are accredited, and their knowledge is current and compliant. All FRAs are completed in line with PAS 79 methodology, the recognised Approved Code of Practice (ACOP).
In appointing Marshall Fire, you are meeting your legislative obligations, ensuring the completed FRA is ‘suitable and sufficient’.